RALEIGH, N.C. -
No. 24 Wake Forest struck first with two runs in the top of the first inning, but No. 19 NC State chipped away at the lead and eventually defeated the Demon Deacons 6-2 on Saturday afternoon at Doak Field at Dail Park.

Wake Forest drops to 16-6 overall and 3-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while NC State is now 14-3, 4-1 ACC.

After the baseball game, both teams participated in BaseBald by the St. Baldrick's Foundation, as nearly every player and coach had their heads shaved to show support for kids' cancer research. As of a few hours after the game, Wake Forest had raised $21,548, while the entire event had raised $43,481.

NC State freshman starter Carlos Rodon was excellent in eight innings, earning the win to improve to 4-0 and striking out nine batters. Justin Van Grouw also put together a quality start, allowing just three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts. Van Grouw received a no-decision, as Chris Willson (2-1) suffered in the loss in 2/3 of an inning.

The Demon Deacons started quickly with two runs in the top of the first after the first four batters of the game reached base. Blair and Rhine recorded back-to-back hits to lead things off to put runners on first and second.

Mac Williamson then reached on catcher's interference to load the bases for Lopez, who then walked to bring home the first run of the game. With the bases still loaded, Carey then sent a high fly ball to right field that scored Rhine and put the Deacs up 2-0.

That would be it for the Demon Deacons, as the Wolfpack scored six unanswered runs, beginning in the third inning with a solo home run by Trea Turner. He then drove home another run with a single in the fifth inning, and NC State went on top for good in the sixth inning with a pair of solo home runs from Andrew Ciencin and Ryan Mathews.

The Wolfpack added a pair of runs in the eighth as well to close out the scoring.

Wake Forest and NC State will wrap of the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Doak Field at Dail Park. LHP Brian Holmes will be on the mound for the Demon Deacons, while RHP Logan Jernigan will start for the Wolfpack.